Archive · 24 Jul 2026
Orcas Use New Hunting Technique to Explode Sunfish
Scientists have discovered a new way that orcas, also known as killer whales, hunt for food.
They found that orcas work together to slam into giant sunfish, which are very big and heavy fish, with such force that the fish explode into many pieces.
This was seen in two different places in the ocean near Mexico.
One of the scientists, Kathryn Ayres, was very surprised when she saw this happen because she had never seen anything like it before.
The orcas use teamwork to catch their food, and this new method shows how smart and creative they can be.
Some scientists think this might be a new way for the orcas to hunt, while others think it might just be playful behavior.
They want to learn more about it.
Orcas were filmed using a new hunting technique to explode sunfish into pieces.
The incidents occurred in the Mexican Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California in 2024 and 2025.
Researchers described this behavior as a new and unique hunting strategy.
The sunfish can weigh over 1,800 kilograms and grow up to three meters long.
Scientists are unsure if this behavior is a hunting strategy or just playful behavior.
- Who
- Researchers and orcas
- What
- Orcas using a new hunting technique to explode sunfish
- When
- July 29, 2024, and another incident in 2025
- Where
- Mexican Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California
- Why
- To hunt and possibly strengthen social bonds through cooperative hunting and food sharing
Purposeful Hunting Strategy
Playful Behavior
Hunting Technique
Purposeful Hunting Strategy
The orcas used a coordinated attack to break the sunfish into pieces, suggesting a strategic hunting method.
Playful Behavior
The behavior could be playful, as the sunfish was already mortally wounded before the final impact.
- Date of First Incident
- July 29, 2024
- Location of Incidents
- Mexican Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California
- Research Journal
- Frontiers in Ethology
- Sunfish Weight
- Over 1,800 kilograms
- Sunfish Length
- Up to three meters
- Researcher
- Kathryn Ayres
- Organization
- Beneath the Waves